Famous Hollywood Movie Remakes

Apparently, One Remake Is Not Enough

Countless movies have been reworked and remade throughout the history of movie making. In some cases, the movie makers should have left well enough alone. In others, the new version outshines the old. At the very least movie remakes offer a fresh look at an old idea. Remaking an old classic also serves to remind us just how far technology has brought us from the early days of cinema.

One of the most remade movie ideas of all time is The Mummy, with over fifteen movies made featuring the wrapped villain in the leading role.

The original, The Mummy, was released in 1932 and stared Boris Karloff.

The long dead High Priest is dug up and reanimated by a British museum expedition. Disguising himself as an archaeologist, he sets his sights on the Governor's daughter who is the reincarnation of his lover. Don't look into his eyes. His hypnotic gaze leads to death. Karloff only looks like a mummy for the first five minutes of the film.

The Mummy

Boris Karloff

The Mummy

Brendon Fraser

Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy - 1955

The unlucky keepers of an ancient medallion, Bud and Lou revive a mummy and are pursued by an Egyptian cult who want the medallion for themselves.

The Mummy - 1959

Searching for the tomb of Princess Ananka, in 1890, a British archaeological team accidentally awakens the mummy of her High Priest who seeks to revenge the desecration of his priestess' burial place.

Legend of the Mummy - 1997

The daughter of an Egyptologist attempts to solve several strange murders. The suspect is a seven fingered mummy.

Ancient Evil: Scream of the Mummy - 1999

The fury of an evil God is released by six archaeology students after they discover an ancient Aztec mummy.

The Mummy - 1999

Brendan Fraser stars as Rick O'Connell, a rough and tumble American who finds himself on an archaeological dig in Hamanuptra. Terror and death abound when Imhotep, the Mummy, is awakened.

The Mummy Returns - 2001

And so does Rick O'Connell when the Imhotep reawakens in London and begins a new reign of terror.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - 2008

Son of Rick, follows in his father's footsteps when he brings the cursed mummy of the First Emperor of Qin back to life.

Frankenstein

Boris Karloff

Bride of Frankenstein

Elsa Lanchester

Young Frankenstein

Gene Wilder

Frankenstein

Nearly as popular as the Mummy, Frankenstein has appeared in almost as many films. Frankenstein first appeared in 1931 with Boris Karloff in the title role.

Frankenstein - 1931

Based on Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein is remembered as one of the first great horror films. When the brain of a criminal is accidentally put into the creature made from stolen corpse parts, Frankenstein's monster runs amok and is driven to murder by an unsympathetic community.

Bride of Frankenstein - 1935

Dr. Frankenstein and his monster return to life, but the near-death experience has soured the scientist on evil experimentation. Unfortunately, an even madder scientist, forces him to build a bride for the lonely monster.

Young Frankenstein - 1974

The grandson of the infamous Dr. Frankenstein returns to the family castle and follows in his grandfather's shoes in this hilarious remake.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - 1994

Robert De Niro assumes the role of the monster in this remake directed by Kenneth Branagh. As in the original, the monster comes off as more human than his maker.

Planet of the Apes

Charlton Heston

Planet of the Apes

Charlton Heston awakes from a long space voyage to find himself in a world run by apes with the humans as mute slaves. The film is a study in reverse evolution with the talking Heston causing problems for the primates.

Planet of the Apes spawned four sequels.

Beneath the Planet of the Apes - 1970

Escape From the Planet of the Apes - 1971

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes - 1972

Battle for the Planet of the Apes - 1973

Planet of the Apes - 2001

Tim Burton adds his unique touch to this updated and more violent version of the original. The human astronaut joins forces with a sympathetic chimpanzee to beat the Gorilla army to a sacred temple. The temple holds the truth about mankind's past and future.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

The Day the Earth Stood Still - 1951

The use of on location filming in Washington D.C. and actual commentators, gives this film a sense of realism. It's Sci-Fi with a message, but well put together and ground-breaking cinema for its day.

The Day the Earth Stood Still - 2008

This remake stays pretty true to the original, but is a lot slicker with the use of CGI. And Keanu Reeves doesn't quite fill Michael Rennie's shoes.

Scarface

Paul Muni

Scarface

Al Pacino

Scarface

Scarface:The Shame of the Nation - 1932

Great gangster film based on the life of Al Capone. The violent and sexual content was so shocking for the day that the film was held back from distribution for two years by producer Howard Hughes in order to re-shoot scenes and satisfy the censors. The movie highlights real-life events such as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Paul Muni at his best.

Scarface - 1983

This update is only loosely based on the original. Al Pacino plays the title role as Cuban refugee Tony Montana. Fifty years after the original, it is still considered to be among the great gangster movies.

Willy Wonka

Gene Wilder

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Johnny Depp

Willy Wonka

Willy Wonka - 1971

This is a children's tale with dark undertones, about greed. Set in a magical chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka played by Gene Wilder. Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Charlie and the Chocolat Factory - 2005

Johnny Depp takes on the role of Willy Wonka in this Tim Burton version of the children's story. As in the original, the sweet tempered boy wins out over the other greedy children and their parents.

Psycho

Janet Leigh

Psycho

Anne Heche

Psycho

Psycho - 1960

Dubbed as the first slasher movie, Psycho is Hitchcock at his best. The shocking shower scene, though often copied, still stands as a model to perfect and effective suspense in film making. Anthony Perkins gives us a sympathetic Norman Bates whose motto, 'a boys best friend is his mother', creeps audiences out to this day.

Psycho - 1998

Gus Van Sant does a fair job of reinventing Hitchcock's film with Anne Heche in Janet Leigh's role and Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates. But this remake doesn't quite master the master.

Cape Fear

Robert Mitchum

Cape Fear

Robert DeNiro

Cape Fear

Cape Fear - 1962

Great suspenseful tale of revenge and murder with Gregory Peck as the target of Robert Mitchum's sinister revenge. Mitchum's Max Cody goes after the family of lawyer, Peck leading the audience on a roller coaster of fear.

Cape Fear - 1991

This Martin Scorsese remake stars Robert De Niro as the sociopath bent on revenge, Max Cody. Tensions rise as he stalks the family of the lawyer who led to his imprisonment. The family is played by Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis.

Father of the Bride

Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor

Father of the Bride

Steve Martin and Kimberly Williams

Father of the Bride

Father of the Bride - 1950

Spencer Tracy plays father to Elizabeth Taylor in this charming film. Facing the prospect of his little girl's impending marriage, forces him to face the reality of his own mortality. Time stands still for no man. Great slice of American life tale.

Father of the Bride - 1991

Successful remake of the original with Steve Martin in the title role. Nicely updated with the comedy level raised a bit. Still a poignant and realistic look at life. Followed in 1995 by Father of the Bride II.

King Kong

This was a technically innovative film for its day, making it an instant box office hit. Fay Wray plays the beauty to Kong's beast in this exciting and well told tale. Writer, producer,director, Merian C Cooper, was a real-life adventure who used his experiences in making this great film.

King Kong - 1976

This time around, Jeff Bridges fights to save Kong from being exploited by Oil company owner, Charles Grodin. Jessica Lange plays the beautiful Dwan, who captures Kong's interest.

King Kong - 2005

Peter Jackson adds his magical touch to this visually stunning remake, with Naomi Watts, Jack Black and Adrien Brody. Special effects make this a great movie watching experience.

The Top 10 Movie Remakes We Didn't Need Hollywood loves nothing more than making a movie that’s already been made. The problem is that most of the time these movies blow. We leave the theater shaking our heads, thinking “How could I have been so stupid? Again?” By null